Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Central Elementary Principal Cindy Marten Named New Superintendent

Central Elementary School Principal Cindy Marten has been named the
next Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, replacing
the retiring Bill Kowba on July 1.

The Board of Education made the announcement of its unanimous choice at a news conference Wednesday.

"We
want a leader who will be tirelessly focused on the needs of children
and will expect all adults to do the same," said Dr. John Lee Evans,
Board of Education President. "We have found such a person in our own
district."

Marten has been a teacher and administrator for more
than 25 years; principal at Central Elementary for the last six years.
She began her career as a teacher in the Poway district, moving to
Central Elementary School in San Diego Unified in 2003. During her
tenure at Central, the school's Academic Performance Index score rose
from 631 to 788.

"What an incredible honor," said Marten. "I
believe in the hope and promise of public education in America, and I
believe in doing the work to show America what it's all about."

Marten,
46, is a product of the San Diego Unified School District, having
attended Hardy Elementary School and Horace Mann Middle School before
moving to La Jolla Country Day School for high school. She received her
Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. She holds a
Master's Degree from UC San Diego in curriculum and instruction.

"She
is well known across the district," said Evans. "She and her work are
well known by civic leaders, business leaders in the community."

The other board members also lauded Marten's reputation and vision for education.

"I
am absolutely confident that Ms. Marten is the right person at the
right time in the right position," said Scott Barnett. "Since I've been
here, I've said to myself, 'Do we clone Cindy Marten?'"

"We go
about this with great thought and great deliberation. Central is exactly
what Cindy talks about: it embodies the promise of public education in
this country," said Richard Barrera, District D board member. "Cindy
Marten is not only going to lead this district, Cindy Marten is going to
lead the conversation in this country as what education can be."

"She
was a principal already doing the work of a superintendent," said Marne
Foster, District E trustee. "I have no doubt. i am clear that Cindy
Marten is going to take that vision and transform San Diego Unified, the
state and the nation with her work."

"She is somebody that is
passionate about kids and education, somebody that embraces research
based reform," said District B Trustee Kevin Beiser. "She gets it. She
understands what it takes at all levels."

Dr. Evans said the Board will formally ratify the selection at a future meeting. Contract terms have not been announced.